Dr. Paul Duryea

Dr. Paul R. Duryea is not your typical Orthodontist, there is so much more to this gracious man that many don’t know. His smile lights up every room he walks into and just exudes friendliness and happiness, he’s someone you just want to get to know better!

His background is interesting and his life’s accomplishments even more so. Dr. Duryea had gone thru four years of Dental School at the University of Detroit at which he graduated as Valedictorian and with Summa Cum Laude distinction. He started his private practice in 1981 and was the 1st full time Orthodontist in Palm Harbor! He treats not only adolescent patients, but also has a very large adult practice.

The scope of his practice is from minor correction with appliances to the correction of severe dental and skeletal problems with the need for jaw surgery. He is a Preferred Provider of Invisalign and has been for 10 years.

Dr. Duryea got involved in Orthodontics in a very odd way. He had completed his Dental School clinical requirements by the end of his junior year.

“Because of that fact I was asked to find “something to do” for my senior year, I had decided I wanted to become an Oral surgeon initially, but was attracted to the Orthodontic department to finish up my senior year before applying to a surgery program. I became very interested in Orthodontics because of treating a wide range of patients and was very interested in Surgical Orthodontics. By the time I completed my fourth year of Dental school, I had completed the clinical requirements of the masters Program in Orthodontics. I never applied to the Orthodontic Program formally and was asked into the program by the Chairman of the Department. As an enticement, I was offered to run the Chairman’s private practice as a first year graduate student. I completed the program with not only a certificate in Orthodontics, but also a Master’s Degree in Orthodontics”.

Dr. Duryea’s primary focus is to offer the highest standard of Orthodontic treatment in a casual and intimate setting. His practice is different from many others in that he has a small but well trained staff of four, 2 as administrative assistants and 2 that are certified Orthodontic Assistants who take personal time with every patient.

There are no satellite offices, and he is in the same office all of their normal business hours. He sees to all emergencies himself, unless he is out of town golfing or lecturing. One of his goals is to stay on time. Since his patients arrange their day around their Orthodontic appointment, Dr. Duryea is respectful of all of his patient’s time and maintains their appointment on time!

His patients come from a very large geographic area, from Pinellas to Pasco. His associations and affiliations are too many to mention. Dr. Duryea continues to offer state of the art in Orthodontic treatments and anticipates bringing in an associate in the near future.

One of his most rewarding and memorable work related experiences involved a 17 year old young lady with not only a severe malocclusion (bad bite), but a severe skeletal problem that was a major contributing factor to her bite. During their initial consultation, Dr. Duryea knew her problem was very severe. She did not look at him and said nothing. Sadly, she was totally lacking self-confidence. But, after two years of Orthodontic treatment and corrective surgery was completed, her Mom took him aside and gave him a big hug filled with love and gratitude! Her daughter finally looked like the rest of the family. “The most amazing part was during her retention phase of treatment. She would come in all smiles and was amazed how her social life had improved. Her self-confidence soared! That’s what makes what I do so rewarding. To be able to profoundly change a person’s life by restoring their smile and facial appearance is unbelievable and gratifying”, states Dr. Duryea.

Dr. Duryea’s family life is another great accomplishment. Married to Nan, his best friend for 37 years, they have raised 2 great kids, Becky and Scott. Paul and Nan’s newest treasure is grandson Harrison.

Paul’s hobbies include Travel, Cooking, Golf, and of course Halloween! He is our very own, Walt Disney! For the past 19 years, he personally builds a display outside of his house call the “Mansion of the Macabre”. It takes a month to set up and take down and is open for only 2 nights a year. He does this as a fund raiser for Susan G. Komen, For the Cure and The Suncoast Hospice. There is no admission fee; they only accept donations to one of these charities every year. He’s been told by more than one visitor, it’s the “Disney of Palm Harbor” It truly is his labor of love!

Dr. Paul Duryea is so many things to so many of us. Caring and compassionate, loving, and always striving to be better and do what is best for others. He is a role model to all and someone we can all learn from. He changes lives.